Why choose a hostel in Reykjavik?
Few cities pack as much into as small a space as Reykjavik. Colourful streets, geothermal pools, and walkable neighbourhoods reward those who explore on foot. Hallgrímskirkja, the city's landmark church, rises high above the downtown rooftops. Harpa Concert Hall sits right on the waterfront, hosting music and cultural events year-round. Accommodation here tends to cost more than in many European cities, so hostels in Reykjavik offer real value.
Hostels suit solo travellers, budget-conscious visitors, and anyone who wants to meet fellow adventurers. Shared dorms cost far less than hotels or private rentals, with common spaces built for socializing. Private rooms give you more quiet without the hotel price tag. Many hostels include perks like free breakfast and local tips that apartment-style stays rarely offer. For most travellers, the savings and social atmosphere more than offset sharing a few spaces.
How to find the best hostel deals in Reykjavik
Love how effortless it is to compare flights with us? The same smart search engine can hunt down deals on rooms and hostels too. Use these tips to find the right stay at the right price.
Book in advance
Book early to boost your chances of finding the perfect hostel at a price that works for you. This matters even more during the busiest times of year like school breaks and major festive seasons.
…or bag a last-minute Reykjavik hostel deal.
Last-minute booking can be hit or miss, but it can pay off. Some places cut their rates close to arrival to attract guests, especially during low season.
Flexible on dates? Say hello to better rates
If you have wiggle room with your dates, compare different seasons or months to find the best deal. Midweek stays are often lighter on your budget than weekends, so even minor changes can save you money.
Where to base yourself in Reykjavik
Many of the best hostels in Reykjavik sit in and around the 101 district, the city's compact centre. Laugavegur, the main street, runs through here and lines up cafes, bars, and record shops within easy walking distance. Hallgrímskirkja church is close by, and the Reykjavik Art Museum has a branch nearby too. Most day tours to the Golden Circle and South Coast pick up from this area, which makes early starts easier.
If you want something a little quieter, the Vesturbær neighbourhood is worth considering. It sits close to the waterfront and the Reykjavik Botanic Garden, and you can walk into the centre in around 15 minutes. Local coffee shops and smaller restaurants keep things low-key. City buses connect you to the rest of Reykjavik without much trouble. Where you stay depends on how much action you want right outside your door.
Best hostels in Reykjavik
Hostels on Skyscanner come with ratings from travellers based on actual guest reviews. These scores usually cover key areas like service, cleanliness, location, value for money, and facilities. It makes it easier to track down the perfect stay for your trip, whether you're trying to keep costs down or happy to spend a little more.
Best all-rounder hostels
For a stay that ticks all the boxes, you can't go wrong with Student Hotel & Hostel. It gets glowing reviews for its sleep quality, rooms and cleanliness.
Nordic Hostel is well worth a mention too. It scores high ratings for its cleanliness, location and rooms.
Highest-rated hostels for cleanliness
If a clean, comfortable hostel matters to you, Nordic Hostel fits the bill. Guests give it top marks for cleanliness, with amenities like Wi-Fi and luggage storage.
Well-presented rooms and tidy shared areas also come as standard at Student Hotel & Hostel. Along with good cleanliness ratings, it offers heating and a nightclub.
Hostels with the best customer service
When it comes to customer service, Nordic Hostel is one of the top-rated hostels in Reykjavik. This option comes with heating and luggage storage.
Travellers also often highlight the customer service at Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse in their reviews. Luggage storage and heating are some amenities available here.
Centrally located hostels
A handy location is a big part of the appeal at Nordic Hostel. With a lounge, luggage storage and plenty more, you'll have all you need to settle in.
Or check in to Loft - HI Eco Hostel. This well-located stay offers a lift and Wi-Fi.
Hostels near the best neighbourhoods in Reykjavik
Hostels in Hliðar
Student Hotel & Hostel is a popular choice around Hliðar. It comes with luggage storage, a nightclub and has a traveller rating of about 4.6 out of 5.
Another stay worth your attention is Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse, which is rated around 4.5 out of 5 by travellers. Practical perks like heating and luggage storage are there to make your stay smoother.
Hostels near the best attractions in Reykjavik
Where to stay near Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Centre
Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Centre is a dedicated exhibition space focused entirely on the aurora borealis. It covers the science behind the phenomenon, the history of how humans have understood it, and the cultural stories built around it. If you're planning to stay close, hostels near Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Centre are easy to find, and the exhibition itself is a solid starting point for understanding what you're hoping to catch in the sky.
Visiting Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Centre is simple when you stay at Student Hotel & Hostel. A lounge and parking are part of what guests can expect at this hostel in Reykjavik.
Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse is another option close to this attraction. Amenities like heating and parking are only a glimpse of what you'll find here.
Hostels close to Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Harpa draws visitors for its live performances, from classical concerts to contemporary shows, but plenty of people come just to wander inside and take in the geometric glass facade up close. Free to enter, it's the kind of place where you can explore at your own pace, catch a scheduled event, or grab a coffee and watch the light shift through the honeycomb windows. Hostels near Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre put you steps from one of Reykjavik's most distinctive cultural venues.
With Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre on the agenda, Student Hotel & Hostel makes a smart base. This hostel in Reykjavik features a bar and heating.
You'll also love staying at Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse. It's near this attraction and comes with amenities like heating and luggage storage.
Sun Voyager hostels
The waterfront stretch around hostels near Sun Voyager runs along Reykjavik's northern shore, where Harpa Concert Hall sits just a short walk away. You'll find cafes and restaurants dotted along the harborside, with the Old Harbour nearby offering fresh seafood spots and a relaxed pace. The area connects easily to the city centre, where independent shops and cultural spaces are yours to explore on foot.
Make the most of every sightseeing hour at Student Hotel & Hostel. This hostel in Reykjavik comes with ATMs, a nightclub and more.
Staying close to this popular sight is just as easy at Refurinn Reykjavik Guesthouse. There are amenities like Wi-Fi and parking here.
